Chasing Hogs in Southwest Arkansas: High-Octane Hunts with Danny Moreland at Tigerback Lodge

Article by Guest Contributor: VENKU.com

The Tigerback Lodge is nestled in a hunter’s oasis in southwest Arkansas, near where the Texas and Oklahoma borders converge. Owner Danny Moreland takes pride in delivering hunters with a hog hunt that’s packed with action and nearly guaranteed success. With access to 700 acres on Millwood Lake—plus surrounding farmland and even nearby islands—Danny knows how to put hunters on hogs and utilizes multiple methods to ensure a high success rate. Whether you’re running thermals at night, setting up over bait, or chasing them down with dogs, this hunt is as real as it gets.

Owner Danny Moreland takes pride in delivering hunters with a hog hunt that’s packed with action and nearly guaranteed success.

Methods of Hunting

Danny employs three primary hunting techniques, each offering a unique challenge and thrill:

• Spot & Stalk with Thermals at Night: Using thermal optics, hunters scan fields and wood lines for heat signatures before carefully moving in for a shot. The key to success is wind direction—hogs have an incredible sense of smell but relatively poor eyesight, allowing hunters to get within 40-50 yards if they’re quiet.
• Hunting Over Bait (Morning or Evening): Setting up over baited areas with corn is a time-tested method for drawing hogs in close. This method is ideal for those looking for a more traditional hunting experience with rifles and tripods, providing a stable platform for accurate shots.
• Hog Dog Hunts: Perhaps the most intense method, hunting with dogs involves turning trained dogs loose to locate and bay a hog. Once the hog is cornered, another dog will grab its ear, allowing hunters to move in and dispatch the animal with a knife. It’s a hands-on experience that provides an unforgettable hunt for those looking for something different.

The Terrain and Hunting Grounds

While Danny’s lodge sits in prime hog country, he often expands his hunting grounds by securing permission from local farmers and ranchers who need help controlling hog populations. Additionally, Millwood Lake, a Corps of Engineers reservoir, provides even more opportunities. Hogs are naturally drawn to water, and if needed, Danny and his team will use boats to access islands for a spot-and-stalk hunt.

He recounts a recent hunt: “We had a father-son group out to hunt with us. The water was high and the conditions were just right that the hogs had been pushed over to our property. To our surprise, though, once we started pursuing ‘em, a hog jumped in the water and started swimming! One of our dogs took off after it and followed it all the way out to a little island in the lake. We put a boat in to get the hunters out there too, and they were able to make a clean kill. The father said he’d hunted all over the country, but this was the most exciting hunt he’d ever been on!”

Success Rate and Firearms

If you can shoot, success is almost guaranteed. Danny boasts a 95-100% success rate, making his hunt a top choice for hunters of all skill levels. Most hunters bring their own firearms—typically AR-style rifles with thermals—but for those who don’t, Danny provides well-equipped rifles, including:

• Smith & Wesson AR-10 (.308) – Favorite rifle with 150-grain bullets
• Smith & Wesson AR-15 (.223) – Excellent for headshots
• .22-250 with Thermal Optics – Great for hunters with smaller frames or women
• THERMAL OPTICS

For hog dog hunts, firearms are generally avoided due to safety concerns for the dogs. Instead, hunters use knives to finish the job once the dogs have restrained the hog.

Gear and Hunting Conditions

• Tripods: Stability is key for precision shots, and Danny highly recommends the Two Vets Tripod, a lightweight and easily transportable option that allows hunters to keep their rifle mounted and ready.
• Thermal Scanners: The AGM Sidewinder handheld scanner is used to locate hogs in the field before making a quiet approach.
• Wind Consideration: Success hinges on staying downwind of hogs due to their keen sense of smell. Danny’s team always ensures hunters are positioned correctly before taking a shot.

Best Time to Hunt

The prime hog hunting season at Tigerback Lodge runs from February through the second week of May. After that, the weather gets too warm, mosquitoes become a problem, and tall field growth makes spotting hogs more difficult.

Accommodations and Experience

Beyond the hunt, Danny ensures that guests have a full outdoor experience, complete with lodging and meals. He says, “I try to create an environment where we always have something to do.” Whether you’re after a traditional rifle hunt, a high-tech thermal adventure, or an action-packed hog dog hunt, Tigerback Lodge delivers an unforgettable Arkansas hog hunting experience.

If you’re ready for a hunt that combines skill, strategy, and adrenaline, book a trip with Danny Moreland at Tigerback Lodge and experience hog hunting like never before!

Products:

• Smith & Wesson AR-10 (.308)
• Smith & Wesson AR-15 (.223)
• .22 – 250
• AGM Sidewinder
• Binoculars
• Spotting Scope For Truck

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